The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level C1HistoricalMedieval rhetoric and poetic to 1400Explore the evolution of medieval rhetoric and poetry through key texts and teachings that shaped education, literature, and composition up to 1400.
Level C1HistoricalMedieval English LiteratureExplore the rich tapestry of medieval English literature, tracing its roots from Gothic art to legendary tales like those of Arthur and Dante, revealing how curiosity and history i…
Level C1HistoricalMedical Thoughts of ShakespeareExplore the rich medical insights woven through Shakespeare’s plays, revealing his deep understanding of physicians, diseases, and treatments from nervous disorders to surgical pra…
Level C1ClassicsMedical Essays, 1842-1882Explore provocative essays challenging medical orthodoxy and exposing widespread superstitions in 19th-century practice, revealing the tension between innovative science and entren…
Level C1HistoricalMediaeval TalesDive into a rich tapestry of medieval romance and legend, from the heroic deeds of Charlemagne and Roland to spirited Spanish ballads and timeless tales of Faustus, blending histor…
Level C1FantasyMeccania, the Super-StateA mysterious journal from a traveler who claims to have visited the secretive European super-state of Meccania in 1970 reveals a chilling vision of political control and societal o…
Level C2ClassicsMeasure for MeasureA Duke entrusts strict Angelo with his authority to govern Vienna, challenging mercy against justice in a city teetering on the edge of corruption and control.
Level C1ClassicsMeadow Grass: Tales of New England LifeStep into the quiet charm of Tiverton, where childhood games, secret rivers, and the simple beauty of meadows shape a world untouched by time.
Level B2ClassicsMeadow BrookA spirited young girl navigates the joys and trials of childhood in a picturesque New England farmhouse, dreaming of a name that will make her mother proud amid the everyday strugg…
Level B2ClassicsMe: A Book of RemembranceA spirited seventeen-year-old leaves her troubled home with just ten dollars, chasing dreams of adventure and literary success in the distant West Indies.
Level B2ClassicsMcTeague: A Story of San FranciscoA towering but slow-witted dentist in San Francisco clings to simple pleasures—food, drink, and music—while dreaming of success beyond his modest dental parlor, all shadowed by mem…
Level C1MysteryMcAllister and His DoubleA solitary clubman’s Christmas takes a strange turn when a mysterious double appears, thrusting him into a night of unsettling events and shadowy confrontations.
Level C1AdventureMazeppaTwo young cousins, Mazeppa and his rival, navigate the treacherous world of Polish court life and Cossack loyalty, caught between education, ambition, and the fight for independenc…
Level C1PoetryMazelli, and Other PoemsAn aged hermit offers weary travelers humble refuge beneath a guardian willow, sharing visions of youth, nature, and the bittersweet lessons of life amid a tranquil valley untouche…
Level C1Science FictionMaza of the MoonA determined inventor risks everything to win a million-dollar prize by launching the first projectile to touch the moon, harnessing revolutionary atomic power and cutting-edge tec…
Level B2ClassicsMayne Reid: A Memoir of his LifeBorn into a strict Irish family, a young man rejects a planned clerical path to embrace a life of adventure and survival in the untamed American frontier, confronting wild landscap…
Level B2ClassicsMayflower (Flor de mayo): A Tale of the Valencian SeashoreOn the Valencian seashore, a fishing fleet battles a sudden, fierce storm that threatens lives and livelihoods, while shorebound families grapple with fear and hope amid the raging…
Level B2Children'sMaybee's Stepping StonesTwo young siblings, Maybee and Tod, face the trials and chaos of their first day at school under the watchful yet overwhelmed care of their older sister Sue.
Level C1HistoricalMayan NomenclatureExplore the intricate vigesimal systems used by the Maya to count days and years, uncovering the nuanced debates among scholars over their calendar nomenclature and the ancient evi…
Level C1ClassicsMay; vol. IIA woman devoted to her family faces a profound emptiness when her lifelong duties come to an end, leaving her adrift in a quiet town filled with memories and silent longing.
Level C1ClassicsMay; vol. IIn a steadfast Scottish family home where tradition meets quiet dignity, two brothers defy expectations—one a reliable laird, the other an orderly bachelor—both bound by loyalty as…
Level C1PoetryMay-Day, and Other PiecesCelebrate the vibrant arrival of May and the stirring rebirth of nature in evocative verse that captures the hopeful pulse beneath the thawing earth and the promise of new beginnin…
Level B2RomanceMay Iverson's CareerA young woman fresh from graduation shocks her family by deciding to become a nun, but her father persuades her to try a career as a newspaper reporter in New York first—setting th…
Level B2Children'sMay FlowersSix Boston girls form the May Flower Club to read, sew, and confront the realities of poverty and charity, challenging themselves to move beyond comfort and make a meaningful diffe…
Level B2Children'sMay Day; or, Anecdotes of Miss Lydia Lively: Intended to improve and amuse the rising generationA young girl named Lydia learns gentle lessons from her mother about kindness, patience, and self-control, discovering how to overcome everyday frustrations and grow into a good-he…
Level C1PoetryMay Day with the MusesAs winter fades, a joyful celebration unfolds with rustic charm and poetic musings on love, nature, and hope.
Level C1PoetryMay CarolsCelebrate the sacred month of May through poems that intertwine nature’s beauty with profound Christian mysteries, exploring the divine link between Creation and the Incarnation in…
Level C1ClassicsMay BrookeIn a storm-darkened mansion, cynical guardian Mark Stillinghast begrudgingly watches over the hopeful young May Brooke, whose gentle spirit contrasts his bitter past as she faces t…
Level C1ClassicsMaxwell Drewitt, vol. 1 of 2In a quiet Irish cottage, Maxwell Drewitt and his uneasy companion Tim Ryan navigate a world where appearances deceive and trust is a dangerous gamble.
Level C1ClassicsMaxims for RevolutionistsSharp and provocative maxims dissect power, society, and human nature, challenging conventional wisdom on government, democracy, education, and marriage with wit and radical insigh…
Level C1PhilosophyMaxims and ReflectionsDiscover profound insights into life, character, science, and art through a carefully selected collection of maxims that challenge timeless human dilemmas and illuminate the subtle…
Level B2ClassicsMaximinaIn a quiet coastal village, Miguel returns eagerly to his beloved Maximina on the eve of their wedding, navigating bashfulness and village gossip amid the soft glow of twilight and…
Level C1ClassicsMaxim GorkiExperience the passionate world of a transformative Russian writer whose life and works illuminate the struggles of society, personal hardship, and the rise of new heroes through v…
Level C1ClassicsMax Havelaar;A passionate exposé reveals the brutal exploitation of natives under Dutch colonial rule in the Indies, challenging the complacency of a prosperous coffee broker and society itself…
Level C1ClassicsMax FargusIn a modest New York street overshadowed by ambition and struggle, a mysterious man arrives with news that could change everything for a woman clinging to hope.
Level C1MysteryMax CarradosA private inquiry agent seeks the truth behind a rare ancient coin whose authenticity could mean the difference between freedom and arrest.
Level C1RomanceMaxA young man travels through the wintry night on the north express, clutching a secret treasure as memories of cold landscapes and distant cities flood his dreams—setting the stage…
Level B2AdventureMaw's Vacation: The Story of a Human Being in the YellowstoneAfter decades of hard work, Maw and her family embark on their first adventurous vacation to Yellowstone, navigating winding mountain roads and embracing the wonders of the great o…
Level B2AdventureMavericksIn a sunlit mountain valley, a fierce young teacher confronts a bold rider whose playful kiss sparks a fiery clash of pride and passion.
Level C1PoetryMaurine and Other PoemsIn a sunlit June morning, a spirited conversation unfolds about friendship, love, and the delicate bonds between women, set against the tender backdrop of blooming roses and heartf…
Level C1AdventureMaurice and the bay mareA seasoned groom warns of a spirited mare recently arrived from Tennessee, known for her fiery independence and hidden tricks.
Level C1AdventureMaurice Tiernay, Soldier of FortuneCaught in the turbulent days of revolution and war, Maurice Tiernay navigates loyalty, honor, and fortune as a soldier amid historic battles and shifting allegiances.
Level C1RomanceMaurice GuestIn the vibrant heart of Leipzig's musical world, a young man named Maurice Guest is swept into a passionate journey of art, ambition, and longing, where the promise of spring mirro…
Level C1ClassicsMaupratIn a world shaped by rigid social codes, a young man torn between brutality and tenderness embarks on a journey of self-discovery and love, challenging conventions and revealing th…
Level C1FantasyMaugis, ye sorcererIn the ancient city of Mouzon, a mysterious suicide and the destruction of priceless manuscripts ignite a journey into legend, revealing the secrets of Maugis, a warrior sorcerer,…
Level C2PoetryMaud, and Other PoemsHaunted by his father's tragic death and the corruption surrounding him, a tormented soul wrestles with despair, social decay, and the haunting presence of Maud, whose icy beauty m…
Level C1Children'sMaud Marian, artistMaud Marian, newly mistress of her father’s house, grapples with change and ambition as her beloved aunt marries away, leaving Maud to navigate loss, loyalty, and her own artistic…
Level B2Children'sMaud Florence Nellie; or, Don't care!Maud Florence Nellie Whittaker, a spirited fifteen-year-old with a flair for fashion, navigates life and family dynamics from her unique home by the cemetery gates.
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.